Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-05

the gl1tter1ng from the QlaInOnQS.
Lenore laughs: "Wise little woman!
Down here, in among these bills, with
never a peep outside, how came you to
know 50 much? Who says the good
things of life are not what money buys?
How did you find out that forbidden
memories spoil their enjoyment.
give watched the married women" /
say shortly.
She starts up slightly and drops my
hand.
''You are an old maid, Helena crabb-
ed, crotchety old maid, with rambling
on about things with which you are un-
acquainted. Don't do it, my dear"
do you ever see-you know who?" l
ask after a while, apparently irrele-
vanity.
The blood mounts to her face. ooh,
dear, yes, yes!' she says airily, quite Of
ten, we are the very best of friends"
"Oh, you are!" say I dryly. "Tell nae
about him."
sThere is not much to TELL" she says
with elaborate Indifference. He comes to
see me occasiOnally-we talk of olden
times-he goes away and-really that is
ALL"
ooh, Lenore! Be careful, DEAR" l say.
"Be CAREFUL" she cries in blaze.
Careful of what? Careful that no stray
bit of Joy shall come to me? Careful to
bar out every glimpse of a heaven that I
have lost? Careful not to let one CLEAN
of human Joy creep thro' the golden bar
riers have built above me-Is that what
you meant"
''Hush! Hushr' 1 say quickly "you
will be sorry another time for having said
To
She had risen and was walking restless
ly about my little room, but she comes to
me kneels down beside me and puts her
face to mine.
"Sorry for telling you anything! Why
my, dear, old, trusty Helen, don't know
you'd go cheerfully to the stake before
you'd divulge one of my copfdencess
You always looked over my frivolities,
Helen, and hunted out the few good
traits have"
She settles herself on the floor and goes
on.
eyes he came in occasionally to see me.
Came in to call, handsome and careless
as ever, and we talked of you, of old
times, and laughed and joked over our
past and played out romance; over the
little tragedy upon which we had let the
curtain down. We talked of it as
comedy, and smiled over the recollection
of the tears we both shed at parting. He
saidgit was seldom that.two people who
had parted with clasp of hands; with
signs, with tears, could meet in SO few
years to talk it over as by-play, joke.
We read together, the poems we used to
think 30 lovely, and laughed at their jad-
ed sentiment and far-fetched rhymes.
And II am afraid even to think how
much those visits were to me! l was
frightened then, when I caught myself
watching the clock or holding my breath
to catch the footstep in the hall, but l
would put those thoughts aside to enjoy
the little crumb of happiness that fate
threw, grudgingly, to me-"
She is quiet for little time and stares
into the fire as if she saw there what she
is telling me.
swell, so the months went by, don't
know how many of them-not very many
to take from all the rest of my life. I
was at ball one Eight;an elaborate affair
given for some dignitary, don't reeoll-
cot who, indeed almost doubt if / knew
then. I had a new Paris dress, most
gorgeous, and 1 dare say should have
been the happiest of women as [ laughed
and danced, but all the time my eyes
were dim with watching; with hunting
through the moving crowd for that one
face. And as grew sick with hating the
glare and chatter, the lights grew soft
and lovely, the music came in sweet glad
bursts, and the great, glittering room was
turned to fairyland-I looked into his
eyes and heard his voice and was con-
TENT
"Lenorew I say, warningly, but she
does not heed me. Two crimson spots
on her cheeks burn brightly, and her
voice was hard and even.
"We went out on the balcony; remem-
Der every step of the way; everyone we
met: all that was said-every small Incl
dent is clear and distinct to me of that
night-the last night of my life, Helen,
the rest does not count. We stood to-
gether; behind US the portiere had fallen,
shutting US from the light and glitter of
the room; before Us the broad, moon-lit
ocean stretched, a deep dark mystery,
toward the distant stars. The sound of
waltz music came to US with mufaed sweet
ness, bat we were alone with the moon
light and the ocean.
"sWhat a night for LOVERS he said
at last, docs it not remind you of
the evenings before your marriage Mrs.
Caryl?'
"'Not at ALL said shortly, Mr.. Caryl
was afraid of rheumatism. We staid in
DOORS
"He laughed. SO you have no fond
recollections in which moonlight and sol
itude figure? Well, have. I am remind
ed of q summer on the Maine coast; of
nights like bits of Heaven, and dark
eyed little girl enjoying them with me-
sob, Helen, how my heart beat. 1
clinched my hands together on the railing
and stared straight out to sea.
"'But she was very tickle little girl,
he went on relentlessly. after that beau
tiful summer, after vows and all sorts of
promises, and after my heartstrings were
tangled, oh, so closely about her; what do
you suppose she did?'
''I could not answer. Wretohed, mis-
cradle, my head dropped lower.
"'She threw me over without word.
But was poor, and diamonds have way
OF glittering that it most Fascinating, so
she took the man who could give them to
her. Forgive me for troubling you with